Uploaded March 2014 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
Another quick ballpark figure of how much downward pressure is used to successfully make an ember, with the bow drill method this time. The digital scale is measuring in Grams.
It looks like the scale peaked at about 6300 grams or so (~6.3Kg or 13.9 lbs). Hard to tell, but looks like the average peak of about 5500 grams or so (5.5Kg or 12.1 lbs). Took about 47 seconds or so. You can see it was a gradual progression.
I'm not sure of the wood type used. A set I made on one of my business trips in another state. Possibly from New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, or Maryland. A cheap shoelace as the bowstring.
Thanks to David West (another friction fire enthusiast) for the inspiration.
I did a similar test with
the hand drill several months back:
Hand Drill Fire - Measured Downward Pressure
youtube.com/watch?v=7bdfz6WIuRs
Another quick ballpark figure of how much downward pressure is used to successfully make an ember, with the bow drill method this time. The digital scale is measuring in Grams.
It looks like the scale peaked at about 6300 grams or so (~6.3Kg or 13.9 lbs). Hard to tell, but looks like the average peak of about 5500 grams or so (5.5Kg or 12.1 lbs). Took about 47 seconds or so. You can see it was a gradual progression.
I'm not sure of the wood type used. A set I made on one of my business trips in another state. Possibly from New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, or Maryland. A cheap shoelace as the bowstring.
Thanks to David West (another friction fire enthusiast) for the inspiration.
I did a similar test with
the hand drill several months back:
Hand Drill Fire - Measured Downward Pressure
youtube.com/watch?v=7bdfz6WIuRs
